Tag: suzanne-collins

Sunrise on the 70s: Shag Carpet, Wood Paneling, and Orange Everywhere

WARNING: Spoiler Alert for Capitol design trends in Sunrise on the Reaping Upon finishing his first read of Sunrise on the Reaping, a student of mine keenly observed, “The color orange is everywhere in this book. What’s with all the orange?” I admittedly had… Continue Reading “Sunrise on the 70s: Shag Carpet, Wood Paneling, and Orange Everywhere”

Pa Abernathy’s Big Metaphor: Painting Posters and Reclaiming the Narrative

Warning: Spoilers ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping Author’s Fun Note: Sarshee Whitcomb is likely named for author and poet, James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916), known as the “Hoosier poet” in Indiana for his accomplishments in children’s poetry and as a best-selling author. Given that… Continue Reading “Pa Abernathy’s Big Metaphor: Painting Posters and Reclaiming the Narrative”

Inside the Baffling Gamemaker Scene in Sunrise: Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Implicit Submission?

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD for Sunrise on the Reaping After a lighthearted moment with Haymitch and Maysilee tromping toward the hedge, the pair is suddenly surprised by a Career ambush (p. 296). Notably, their water jug breaks, the knife having narrowly missed both of them.… Continue Reading “Inside the Baffling Gamemaker Scene in Sunrise: Fight, Flight, Freeze, or Implicit Submission?”

Two Generations of Donners: The Sweetshop, Marshmallows, Mayor’s House, Piano, Merrilee’s Illness, Canaries, and the Mockingjay Pin (Whew!)

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD for Sunrise on the Reaping, and the Trilogy! Haymitch first introduces us to the Donners’ sweetshop when he buys a “little white paper bag of multicolored gumdrops — Lenore Dove’s favorite,” to share with her later (16-17). The purpose of this… Continue Reading “Two Generations of Donners: The Sweetshop, Marshmallows, Mayor’s House, Piano, Merrilee’s Illness, Canaries, and the Mockingjay Pin (Whew!)”

Burdock’s Clues to a Third Prequel and Other Loose Ends in Sunrise

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD for Sunrise on the Reaping (Feature Image Above: An “Old Appalachian” apothecary in Yancey County, North Carolina. See this local feature article about the “Life-changing Magic of a Mountain Medicine Man.”) Is there a third prequel coming? Katniss’ father, Burdock Everdeen,… Continue Reading “Burdock’s Clues to a Third Prequel and Other Loose Ends in Sunrise”

Playing the Long Game: Plutarch’s Lesson for Haymitch and Humanity

Guest Post by Helena Kazenski, Butler University WARNING: SPOILERS BELOW for Sunrise on the Reaping Collins’ latest prequel has been met with great excitement from old and new fans alike. And the appearance of a younger cameraman named Plutarch has certainly driven some of… Continue Reading “Playing the Long Game: Plutarch’s Lesson for Haymitch and Humanity”

Trajan Heavensbee: A Featured Ancestor in Sunrise Appears First in a Surprising Place.

Heavensbee Hall

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD for Sunrise on the Reaping Beyond all the familiar names and revelations we encounter in Sunrise, none made my jaw drop more than the mention of Trajan Heavensbee’s portrait in the family mansion. We “meet the Heavensbees” through Haymitch’s cynical eyes… Continue Reading “Trajan Heavensbee: A Featured Ancestor in Sunrise Appears First in a Surprising Place.”

The Goose and the Common: An Unexpected nod to (New) England in Sunrise on the Reaping

Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Sunrise on the Reaping As early as page 5 in Sunrise, we learn that Collins seems to maintain some kind of fascination with geese. Haymitch’s “girl,” Lenore Dove, treats about a dozen of them (lots of “dozens” show up in… Continue Reading “The Goose and the Common: An Unexpected nod to (New) England in Sunrise on the Reaping”

Predictions for Sunrise on the Reaping: Why This May be a “Parent” Story We Don’t Expect

With less than a week before the release of Suzanne Collins’ second prequel, I can’t help but provide my own small contribution to the countless predictions and theories that have emerged thus far. Given my re-read of the original series, an interpretation of the… Continue Reading “Predictions for Sunrise on the Reaping: Why This May be a “Parent” Story We Don’t Expect”